History

Read all about it!

2012 marks our 135th anniversary, to start the ball rolling we thought we would take a look back over our past. The book The History of Batham’s Black Country Brewers was originally published by local author John Richards, in 1993.It is now available in PDF format to read online, so just click on the image of the book, opposite to open/download it. It is 8Mb in size so will take a few moments to download.

History has moved rapidly since then, and new chapters are necessary, but until we can get those written, we have reproduced this copy for posterity and in memory of Johns’ work.

We hope you enjoy this insight into our History and also please watch our home page for news of Events and Special Brews, to mark our birthday, throughout the year.

The potted history

Bathams have become a family born to brew. No fewer than five generations have been involved in creating a legendary beer of the Black Country.

Batham’s Bitter, now regarded by some as one of the finest in the country, would never have been if it was not for the pernickety tastebuds of pub regulars in a quiet Worcestershire village, and the brewing skills of Mr D.B.A (Arthur) Batham.

Bathams Family Tree

The Bitter (OG 1043) alongside the mild (OG 1036) has gained respect among drinkers far and wide who have visited any of the Bathams nine pubs over the past thirty years.

The company has continued to expand from that day in 1882 when Daniel Batham senior became the landlord of the White Horse in Cradley Heath. We think he would be proud to know that 135 years later in 2012 that Batham’s would be operating 11 pubs throughout the Black Country and beyond!

Each of the Bathams pubs is steeped in character and history but none are more so than the famous “Bull and Bladder” – the brewery tap and formerly known as The Vine Inn, Delph Road, Brierley Hill which provides a colourful frontage to the brewery behind.

Daniel Batham Senior

Its well known frontage emblazoned with the Shakespeare quote “Blessing of your heart: You brew good ale” has provided a warm welcome over the years for the many who have travelled to sample the Delph Brewery ale produced by one of the last surviving family brewers in the Black Country.